Which functions are performed by cell wall in plant cells?

The plant cell is of rectangular shape and is comparatively bigger than the animal cell. Both plant and animal cells are eukaryotic cells and they have few similar cell organelles. But plant cell differ from animal cell by the presence of a cell wall outside the cell membrane.

Cell wall provides strength, protection against mechanical and osmotic stress to the plant cell and to provide form and structure to the cell. Cell develops turgor pressure against the cell wall. When there is a healthy supply of water, a plant is protected from wilting due to this turgor pressure.


Plant cell walls are made of cellulose, glycoproteins, lignin, pectin, and hemicelluloses. The formation of the cell wall is done by microtubules. It consists of three layers called as primary, secondary and the middle lamella. The primary cell wall is mainly formed by cellulose laid down by various enzymes.


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